Multi-device dash mount for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A dash mount for securing a plurality of electronic devices to the front dash of a vehicle. The dash mount includes a base having a top surface with a top slot formed therein, as well as a rotatable mounting screw with a threaded portion extending upward, through the top slot, to project above the top surface. The dash mount also includes a support bracket having a first arm receivable within the top slot and a second arm with a device connector located at its distal end. The mounting screw extends through a straight aperture in the first arm to threadably engage with a first electronic device located on the top surface, to secure both the support bracket and the first device to the base, while the device connector on the second arm receives and supports a second electronic device in a location spaced from the first device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/899,774, filed Nov. 4, 2013, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein, and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles and morespecifically to dash mounts for removably supporting electronic devicesabove the front dash of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The use of electronic devices in vehicles has greatly expanded in recentyears with the advent of GSP devices, cellular telephones, displayscreens for remote cameras and computer devices, forwardly-directed“dash cams” and digital cameras for recording the travels of thevehicle, tablet computers, and the like.

Many of the electronic devices are stand-alone appliances that may notbe integrated into the existing electronics system that is typicallylocated within the front control console of the vehicle. To be usefuland safe, these electronic devices must be secured in a position thatdoes not interfere with the driver's handing of the vehicle or impairhis vision, and while still being situated to provide information thatis readily accessible to the driver and other occupants of the vehicle.Furthermore, many of these electronic devices either do not havesuitable mounting systems or their mounting systems are speciallyconfigured for that particular device, and are not interchangeable withother devices. In addition, general purpose mounting systems that arenot customized to any particular device, whether electronic or nonelectronic, are still incapable of securing more than one device of aparticular type, such as those devices with display screens that must bevisible to the driver or those devices requiring an unobstructed viewforward through the front windshield.

A need therefore exists for a dash mounting system for vehicles that canremovably secure a plurality of interchangeable devices to the frontdash of the vehicle. It is to the provision of a multi-device dash mountthat addresses these and other needs that the disclosure is primarilydirected.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, dash mount for securing a plurality of devices,whether electronic or non-electronic, to the front dash of a vehicle.The dash mount generally includes a base that is securable to the frontdash of the vehicle. The base can include a top surface with a top slotformed therein and a mounting screw with a finger wheel that isrotatably mounted within the base and below the top slot. The fingerwheel can have a circumferential edge that extends outward through aside surface of the base and that is accessible to an occupant of thevehicle, as well as a threaded portion of the of the mounting screw thatextends upward along the axis of rotation, through the top slot, andwith the tip end of the threaded portion projecting above the topsurface of the base.

The dash mount can also include a support bracket comprising a first armand a second arm. The first arm can be sized and shaped to be receivedwithin the top slot, and include a straight aperture through a thicknessthereof for receiving the mounting screw. The second arm can extend awayfrom the first arm to a device connector that is located at the distalend of the second arm. In one of several possible configurations of thedash mount, the threaded portion of the mounting screw can be configuredto extend through the straight aperture of the first arm that ispositioned within the top slot. The mounting screw can then bethreadably engaged with a first device that is positioned atop the firstarm and the top surface (such as a forwardly-directed camera, dash cam,strobe light, and the like) to secure both the first device and thesupport bracket to the base. In addition, the device connector can alsobe configured to receive and support a second device (such as a GPSreceiver, cell phone, tablet PC, and the like) in a location that isspaced from the first device.

The multi-device dash mount can also include a clamp bracket that isalso sized and shaped to be received within the top slot. Like thesupport bracket, the clamp bracket can have a straight aperture forreceiving the mounting screw. The clamp bracket may also have anadditional threaded aperture that is adapted for threaded engagementwith the mounting screw.

In another of several possible configurations of the dash mount, thethreaded portion of the mounting screw can extend through the straightaperture of the support bracket positioned within the top slot tothreadably engaged with the threaded aperture of the clamp bracket thathas been positioned on top the first arm, to secure both the clampbracket and the support bracket to the base. A device may then bereceived and supported by the device connector located on the second armof the support bracket.

In yet another of several possible configurations of the dash mount, thethreaded portion of the mounting screw can extend through the straightaperture of the clamp bracket positioned within the top slot tothreadably engaged with the first device to secure both the first deviceand the clamp bracket to the base.

In yet another of several possible configurations of the dash mount, thethreaded portion of the mounting screw may be engaged with the threadedaperture of the clamp bracket that has been positioned within the topslot to secure the clamp bracket to the base.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method for securing atleast one device to the front dash of a vehicle. The method generallyincludes the step of securing a base to the front dash of the vehicle,with the base having a top surface having a top slot formed therein anda mounting screw rotatably mounted within the base. The mounting screwcan include a finger wheel with a circumferential edge extending outwardfrom a side surface of the base to be accessible to an occupant of thevehicle, and a threaded portion that extends upward through the top slotalong an axis of rotation and with a tip end that projects above the topsurface.

The method also includes installing one of a support bracket and a clampbracket into the top slot, with each of the support bracket and theclamp bracket having a straight aperture through a thickness thereof forreceiving the mounting screw, with the support bracket having anupwardly-directed extension with a device connector at a distal endthereof. The method further includes positioning a device on top the topsurface of the base and rotating the finger wheel to engage the threadedportion of the mounting screw within a threaded aperture formed into alower face of the device to secure both the device and the supportbracket or clamp bracket to the base.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the dash mount ofthis disclosure will become apparent to the skilled artisan upon reviewof the detailed description set forth below taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing figures, which are briefly described asfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-device dash mount securing anelectronic device in a near mounting position above the front dash of avehicle, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the dash mount of FIG. 1,the base having a slot formed into the top surface thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support bracket of the dash mount ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket of the dash mount ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tray that can be used in combinationwith the dash mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 1 as may beconfigured with the support bracket installed within the slot of thebase, so as to secure electronic devices in both the far and nearmounting positions.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 6 with electronicdevices secured in both the far and near mounting positions above thefront dash of a vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 1 as may beconfigured with the support bracket installed within the slot of thebase and the clamp bracket positioned on top the support bracket, so asto secure an electronic device in the near mounting position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 8 with anelectronic device secured in the near mounting position above the frontdash of a vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 1 as may beconfigured with the clamp bracket installed within the slot of the base,so as to secure an electronic device in the far mounting position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 10 with anelectronic device secured in the far mounting position above the frontdash of a vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the dash mount of FIG. 1 as may beconfigured with the clamp bracket being secured within the slot of thebase and without an electronic device in either of the near or farmounting positions.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, accordingto common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below arenot necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various featuresand elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearlyillustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in more detail to the drawing figures,wherein like reference numbers, where appropriate, refer to like partsthroughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-device dashmount 20 for securing one or more devices 90 to the dash 10 of avehicle. For example, the device 90 can be a GPS receiver or a “smart”cellular telephone 92 with GPS capabilities that is secured above thedash 10 in a near mounting position 24 that is closest to the driver andother occupants of the vehicle. The dash mount 20 generally includes abase 30 and at least one of a support bracket 60 and a clamp bracket 80,although both can be used in certain configurations such as the oneillustrated in the drawing. As discussed in more detail below, the dashmount 20 can be configured to secure a variety of devices above the dash10 in either the near mounting position (as shown), in a far mountingposition proximate the windshield 16, or in both mounting positions atthe same time.

The base 30 of the dash mount 20 may be custom-shaped with a backside orbottom surface that conforms to the contact surface 12 of the dash 10 ofa particular vehicle. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the bottomsurface of the base 30 can conform to the sharply-defined back edge orridge 15 of a receptacle 14 that has been pre-formed into the dash 10 ofthe vehicle, in this case an off-road vehicle, for receiving and holdingloose items. Accordingly, in one aspect the base 30 can be made of aneasily-formable or moldable material, such as a plastic, athermoplastic, a thermo-set polymer, a composite material, and the like,that allows for the bottom surface to be formed into any particularshape or profile that matches the features of the intended contactsurface 12 of the dash 10.

In the embodiment of the dash mount 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, thebase 30 generally includes a notch or a top slot 42 formed into itsupper or top surface 40, with the top slot 42 having a width and adepth. In addition, the front or near side 32 of the base 30 that facesthe occupants of the vehicle may form a pedestal body 34 that extendsdownward into the receptacle 14 to an attachment tab 35 that is adaptedto receive an attachment fastener that secures the base 30 to the dash10. In one aspect the back or far side 36 of the base 30 may alsoinclude one or more stabilizing members or wings 38 that extendeddownward from the ridge 15 to grip the contact surface 12 of the dash 10on the far side of the ridge 15.

As indicated above, the base 30 of the dash mount 20 can be formed intoa variety of shapes, with the backside or bottom surface(s) 48 of thebase 30 matching the contours of the front dash of any particular makeand model vehicle, and with the base 30 being secured to the dash withscrews, clips, snap fasteners, adhesives and the like. Alternatively,the base may include a suction-type or magnet-type mounting system thatsecures the base to the dash without requiring that the bottom surface48 of the base to conform to the contact surface 12 of dash 10. Indeed,the base 30 may be secured to the front dash 10 of the vehicle using anyof a wide variety of mounting systems that operate to prevent the base30 from moving while the vehicle is in motion.

The top slot 42 of the base 30 can extend from the front side 32 to theback side 36 to divide the top surface 40 into two topside surfaces oneither side of the top slot 42. In other embodiments the top slot canextend in a different direction than that shown in the figures, or mayonly intersect with one of the front side 32 or the back side 36 of thebase 30 to accommodate the second arm of the support bracket 60. Inaddition, the elevation of the top surface 40 above the dash 10 cangenerally raise at least the far mounting position so that a devicesecured in the far mounting position has a clear view forward throughthe windshield 16.

The base 30 can also include a mounting screw 50 that is rotatablymounted within the base below the top slot 42. The mounting screw 50 cancomprise a finger wheel 52 having a circumferential edge 54 that extendsoutward through the front or near side 32 of the base 30 to beaccessible to an occupant of the vehicle for manually rotating themounting screw 50. The mounting screw 50 can also comprise a threadedportion 56 that extends upward along an axis of rotation 51, through thetop slot 42, and with a tip end 58 that projects above the level of thetop surface 40 to engage with the threaded aperture of an object that issupported on the top surface.

In some embodiments the dash mount 20 may be packaged and sold as a dashmount assembly that includes a tray 18 (FIGS. 1 and 5) which can beremovably secured within the receptacle 14 and about the lower portionof the base 30. In one aspect the removable tray 18 may also be modifiedwith surfaces features and recesses 19 that surround the lower portionof the pedestal body 34 and cover the attachment tab 35. Thus, in oneaspect the removable tray 18 can be used to cover one or moreattachments points for securing the base 30 to the dash 10, so as toprovide a more uniform and aesthetically-pleasing appearance whilesimultaneously providing for the easy cleaning of the receptacle 14.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support bracket 60 that can beinstalled within the top slot 42 formed into the top surface 40 of thebase 30 (FIG. 2). In one aspect the support bracket 60 can comprise afirst arm 62 and a second arm 72, with the first arm being removablyinstalled into the top slot with the tip end of the mounting screwprojecting upward through a straight aperture 64 formed through thethickness of the first arm 62. The straight aperture 64 can havesufficient clearance so that the threads of the mounting screw 50 do notengage with the sidewalls of the straight aperture 64.

The second arm 72 can extend away from the first arm 62 in a rearwardand/or upward direction, and can include a device connector 76 at adistal end 77 that is configured to receive and support a device in thenear mounting position that is closest to the driver and other occupantsof the vehicle, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one aspect the deviceconnector 76 can be a ball joint 78 that can be mounted to the distalend or even integrally formed into the distal end 77 of the second arm72. The ball joint 78 can be configured for removable engagement withina socket receptacle formed into a cradle that is configured, in turn, toreceive and hold the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket 80 that can have awidth and a thickness that is similar to the width and the thickness ofthe first arm of the support bracket, so that the clamp bracket 80 canalso fit within the top slot 42 formed into the top surface 40 of thebase 30 (FIG. 2). Like the support bracket 60, the clamp bracket 80 caninclude a straight aperture 84 that is sized to receive the threadedportion 56 of the mounting screw 50 with sufficient clearance so thatthe threads of the mounting screw do not engage with the sidewalls ofthe straight aperture 84. In addition, the clamp bracket 80 can alsoinclude a threaded aperture 88 that is configured to threadably engagewith the mounting screw. Because both the support bracket 60 and theclamp bracket 80 may be made from a lightweight plastic or compositematerial that is not sufficiently hard for maintaining a threadedconnection with the mounting screw without stripping or damaging thethreads, in one aspect the threaded aperture 88 can be provided by ametallic bushing 86 having the threaded aperture 86 formed therein, withthe metallic bushing 86 being press-fit or otherwise secured into a holeformed through the clamp bracket 80.

It is to be appreciated that the first arm 62 of the support bracket 60and the clamp bracket 80 can be interchangeably positioned within thetop slot 42 of the base 30 to provide a variety of configurations forthe multi-device dash mount 20 for supporting and securing one or moredevices above the front dash of the vehicle.

As shown in the dual-device configuration of FIGS. 6-7, for example, thefirst arm 62 of the support bracket 60 can be installed into the topslot 42 of the base 30, with the mounting screw extending upward throughthe straight aperture 64 in the first arm 62, and with the tip end 58 ofthe mounting screw projecting beyond both the upper surface 66 of thefirst arm 62 and the top surface 40 of the base 30 (FIG. 6). This canallow a first or forwardly-facing device 94 (such as a digital camera 95or digital video device) with a threaded aperture formed into its bottomface to be positioned over the tip end 58 of the mounting screw, and thefinger wheel 52 rotated by its circumferential edge 54 until thethreaded portion 56 becomes engaged within a threaded aperture of thefirst device 94 (FIG. 7). Continued rotation of the finger wheel 52draws the device 94 downward until the bottom surface of the device 94contacts the top surface 40 of the base, with additional torquing of thefinger wheel 52 serving to tightly clamp both the first device 94 andthe support bracket 60 to the base 30. In this way the first device 94can be removably secured within the far mounting position 28 nearest thewindshield.

In the dual-device configuration, a second or rearwardly-facing device96 (such as GPS receiver 97 or cell phone) also can be secured to thedash mount 20 in the near mounting position 24 that is closest to thedriver or occupants of the vehicle and spaced from the first device 94.In one aspect the second device 96 can be secured within a cradle 98that is configured to receive and support the device, and which can alsoinclude a socket receptacle 99 configured for removable engagement withthe ball joint 78 that extends from the distal end 77 of the second arm72. As may be appreciated by one of skill in the art, separate cradlesthat are sized and shaped to hold a variety of different electronicdevices (e.g. a GPS receiver, a cell phone, a small tablet PC, etc.) caneach be provided with the same type of socket receptacle, so that eachof the devices can be interchangeably secured to the device connector 76of the support bracket 60 as needed.

It is understood that a variety of interconnecting device connectors 76,other than the ball-and-socket connector 78, 99 illustrated herein, mayalso be available and used by one of skill in the art to secure a device96 to the distal end 77 of the second arm 72. In addition, the supportbracket 60 is not limited to a single second arm 72 with one deviceconnector 76 that supports a lone device in the near mounting position28. For instance, in other embodiments (not shown) the support bracket60 can include an additional rearwardly-extending arm for simultaneouslysupporting two or more devices in near mounting positions 24. These andother variations on the support bracket 60, the rearwardly-extendingsecond arm 72, and the device connector(s) 76 that receive and supportthe electronic devices in near mounting positions 24 spaced from the farmounting position 28 can be considered to fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9 (see also FIG. 1), in some situations a user maynot wish to secure a device to the dash mount 20 at the far mountingposition proximate to the windshield, and instead may only desire tomount a rearwardly-facing device 96 to the near mounting position 24.Without the first device serving as the clamping piece, the clampbracket 80 can be utilized to provide the clamping body that secures thesupport bracket 60 to the base 30. In this configuration, the clampbracket 80 can be positioned on top the first arm 62 of the supportbracket 60 that is installed within the top slot 42. The threadedaperture 88 of the clamp bracket 80 can then be engaged with thethreaded portion of the mounting screw until both the both the clampbracket 80 and the support bracket 60 are tightly clamped to the base 30(FIG. 8). The cradle 98 that supports the rearwardly-facing device 96can then be coupled to the device connector 76 located at the distal end77 of the second arm 72 (FIG. 6).

FIGS. 10-11 together illustrate changing the set-up of the dash mount 20to yet another configuration for a user not wishing to secure a deviceto the dash mount 20 in the near mounting position, but instead onlydesires to mount a forwardly-facing device 94 to the dash mount 20 inthe far mounting position 28. Although the support bracket 60 could beused in this configuration, in some cases it may be consideredproblematic as the upwardly-extending support arm 72 could block theview of a display screen on the back side of the forwardly-facing device94 (FIG. 7). In its place, the clamp bracket 80 can be installed intothe top slot 42 with the threaded portion of the mounting screw beingreceived within the straight aperture 84 of the clamp bracket 80, andthe tip end 58 projecting upward beyond both the upper surface of theclamp bracket 80 and the top surface 40 of the base. As shown in FIG.11, the device 94 can be positioned over the tip end 58 of the mountingscrew 50 and the threaded aperture located in the bottom face of thedevice 94 engaged by the threaded portion 56 of the mounting screw untilboth the device 94 and the clamp bracket 80 are tightly clamped to thebase 30. In one aspect this configuration of the clamp bracket 20 may beadvantageous by allowing the occupants of the vehicle to monitor thedisplay screen of the forward facing device 94 without the second arm ofthe support bracket obstructing the view.

FIG. 12 illustrates changing the set-up of the dash mount 20 to yetanother configuration for a user temporarily not wishing to secure adevice to the dash mount 20 either in the near mounting position or infar mounting position, but also not desiring to remove the base 30 fromits location secured to the dash 10 of the vehicle. In this case, theclamp bracket can be rotated 180 degrees and secured within the top slot42 with the threaded portion 56 of the mounting screw directly engagingthe threaded aperture 88 of the clamp bracket 80. Thus, in one aspectthe clamp bracket 80 can be reversible with both ends of the clampbracket being configured to form a substantially continuous surfaceacross the front or near side 32 of the base 30. This configuration ofthe clamp bracket may be considered advantageous by filling the emptytop slot 42 of the base 30 that may otherwise appear unsightly, or bysimply retaining the clamp bracket 80 in a known location when not inuse.

The invention has been described herein in terms of preferredembodiments and methodologies considered by the inventor to representthe best mode of carrying out the invention. It will be understood bythe skilled artisan, however, that a wide range of additions, deletions,and modifications, both subtle and gross, may be made to the illustratedand exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, the device mount of the present invention isnot limited to securing only electronic devices, but may also be used tosecure non-electronic devices or apparatus to the dash of the vehiclesuch as magnetic compasses, note pad holders, air fresheners,knick-knack holders, and the like. These and other revisions might bemade by those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention that may be further defined by the followingaspects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dash mount for securing a plurality of devicesto the front dash of a vehicle, the dash mount comprising: a basesecurable to the front dash of the vehicle and including: a top surfacehaving a top slot formed therein, the top slot having a width and adepth; and a mounting screw rotatably mounted within the base andincluding: a finger wheel with a circumferential edge extending outwardfrom a side surface of the base and accessible to an occupant of thevehicle; and a threaded portion extending upward through the top slotalong an axis of rotation and having a tip end projecting above the topsurface; and a support bracket including: a first arm sized and shapedto be received within the top slot and having a straight aperturethrough a thickness thereof for receiving the mounting screw; and asecond arm extending away from the first arm and having a deviceconnector at a distal end thereof, wherein the tip end of the mountingscrew is configured to engage a first device positioned on top the firstarm and the top surface to secure both the first device and the supportbracket to the base, and wherein the device connector is configured toreceive and support a second device in a location spaced from the firstdevice.
 2. The dash mount of claim 1, wherein the mounting screw extendsthrough the straight aperture of the support bracket positioned withinthe top slot to threadably engage with a threaded aperture formed into alower face of the first device.
 3. The dash mount of claim 1, furthercomprising a clamp bracket sized and shaped to be received within thetop slot and having a straight aperture through a thickness thereof forreceiving the mounting screw and a threaded aperture through thethickness thereof for threadably engaging with the mounting screw. 4.The dash mount of claim 3, wherein the support bracket is positionedwithin the top slot and the mounting screw extends through the straightaperture of the support bracket to threadably engage with the threadedaperture of the clamp bracket positioned on top the first arm to secureboth the clamp bracket and the support bracket to the base.
 5. The dashmount of claim 3, wherein the clamp bracket is positioned within the topslot and the mounting screw extends through the straight aperture of theclamp bracket to threadably engage with the first device to secure boththe first device and the clamp bracket to the base.
 6. The dash mount ofclaim 3, wherein the clamp bracket is positioned within the top slot andthe mounting screw is threadably engaged with the threaded aperture ofthe clamp bracket to secure the clamp bracket to the base.
 7. The dashmount of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a bottom surfacethat is securable to a contact surface on the dash of the vehicle. 8.The dash mount of claim 7, wherein the bottom surface is conformable tothe contact surface.
 9. The dash mount of claim 1, wherein the supportbracket is L-shaped with the second arm extending upwardly above thefirst arm when the first arm is received within the top slot.
 10. Thedash mount of claim 1, wherein the device connector further comprises aspherical ball connector.
 11. The dash mount of claim 10, wherein thesecond device is secured in a cradle having a socket connector that isengageable with the ball connector.
 12. The dash mount of claim 1,wherein the first device is a digital camera.
 13. The dash mount ofclaim 1, wherein the second device is a GPS display.
 14. A dash mountfor securing at least one device to the front dash of a vehicle, thedash mount comprising: a base securable to the front dash of the vehicleand including: a top surface having a top slot formed therein, the topslot having a width and a depth; and a mounting screw rotatably mountedwithin the base and including: a finger wheel with a circumferentialedge extending outward from a side surface of the base and accessible toan occupant of the vehicle; and a threaded portion extending upwardthrough the top slot along an axis of rotation and having a tip endprojecting above the top surface; and at least one of a support bracketand a clamp bracket, the support bracket including: a first arm sizedand shaped to be received within the top slot and having a straightaperture through a thickness thereof for receiving the mounting screw;and a second arm extending away from the first arm and having a deviceconnector at a distal end thereof; and the clamp bracket being sized andshaped to be received within the top slot and having a straight aperturethrough a thickness thereof for receiving the mounting screw and athreaded aperture through the thickness thereof for threadably engagingwith the mounting screw, wherein the tip end of the mounting screw isconfigured to engage a first device positioned on the top surface tosecure both the first device and one of the support bracket and theclamp bracket received within the top slot of the base.
 15. The dashmount of claim 14, wherein the support bracket is positioned within thetop slot and wherein the device connector of the support bracket isconfigured to receive and support a second device in a location spacedfrom the first device.
 16. A method for securing at least one device tothe front dash of a vehicle, the method comprising: securing a base tothe front dash of the vehicle, the base including: a top surface havinga top slot formed therein; and a mounting screw rotatably mounted withinthe base and including: a finger wheel with a circumferential edgeextending outward from a side surface of the base and accessible to anoccupant of the vehicle; and a threaded portion extending upward throughthe top slot along an axis of rotation and having a tip end projectingabove the top surface; installing one of a support bracket and a clampbracket into the top slot, each of the support bracket and the clampbracket having a straight aperture through a thickness thereof forreceiving the mounting screw, with the support bracket having anupwardly-directed extension with a device connector at a distal endthereof; positioning a device on top the top surface of the base; androtating the finger wheel to engage the threaded portion of the mountingscrew within a threaded aperture formed into a lower face of the atleast one device and to secure both the at least one device and thesupport bracket or clamp bracket to the base.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising mounting a second device to the device connectorof the support bracket when the support bracket is positioned within thetop slot.